FEARS have been raised that a planning application is the “thin end of the wedge” and could “open the door” to yet more housing, if given the green light.

The Farnham Society has raised concerns about an ongoing undetermined planning application to change the use of Daniele Sicilian Restaurant and Hotel, in Lower Hale, to residential, converting the building into three houses.

It was set to be determined in May, but a decision has not yet been published.

David Howell, chairman of The Farnham Society’s planning committee, said: “The restaurant has been trading for eight years and from what I have heard and seen the business is doing really well.”

He added customers have to book “a week in advance for a table at the weekend” and the hotel, which has six bedrooms, is “fully booked most of the time”.

Mr Howell continued: “Waverley Borough Council’s planning office continue to consider this application, being unable to give an indication on the way they are likely to decide.

“The Farnham Society’s planning committee fear that this is the thin end of the wedge. Should the application be approved it opens the door to an application for considerably more houses on the adjoining land.

“Permission was refused for the development of 89 dwellings by the same applicant in December 2017.

“The applicant appealed but withdrew their appeal at the end of July 2018 before the current application was submitted in March this year.”

A spokesman for the borough council said: “The application is still under consideration and no date has been set for a decision.”

But they added the council’s planning policy “heavily favours” businesses already at the location.